COVID-19’s Impacts on BGW

[WDWRLD]

No I’m asking where in there specifically says you can’t mandate it? There’s some states requiring masks be worn in public so I’m skeptical of this information.

HIPPA laws cover your medical privacy bethwen you and your medicl professional. Many people medically can not wear masks, a park can not force someone to wear a mask that is detrimental to their health and you do not have to provide any explaniation as to why you can not wear one for medical reasons...thats a ADA law.

 

[WDWRLD]

So what if they can’t ask why? I don’t understand this argument at all.

There is no arguement. They also can not force you to wear one.

 

[warfelg]

HIPPA laws cover your medical privacy bethwen you and your medicl professional. Many people medically can not wear masks, a park can not force someone to wear a mask that is detrimental to their health and you do not have to provide any explaniation as to why you can not wear one for medical reasons...thats a ADA law.

Ok? But like @Zachary said that doesn’t mean they can’t implement a policy that requires it unless you are exempt. They aren’t breaking any laws if they don’t ask why.

 

[Zachary]

They can force you to wear one unless you lie about not being able to. They can’t require you to say why you cannot medically wear one, but they can require you to say you are medically unable to wear one. This is no different than RAP.

 

[WDWRLD]

Ok? But like @Zachary said that doesn’t mean they can’t implement a policy that requires it unless you are exempt. They aren’t breaking any laws if they don’t ask why.

100% correct. But anyone can walk into the park not wearing one then and there is nothing you must provide to show you can not wear one.

 

[WDWRLD]

but they can require you to say you are medically unable to wear one.

No they can not.

 

[Zachary]

No they can not.

Yeah, they can. For RAP you have to state that you unable to wait in queues. They can’t require you to say WHY.

I envision mask exceptions being done in the same way. People go to guest services, get a medical exception, and wear a wristband to signify that they’re exempt from the mask requirement.

 

[WDWRLD]

Its the same with a "service dog"....they can not ask what your disability is that your dog does or is needed for.

 

[rswashdc]

If you want to get people to wear masks voluntarily there are plenty of ways to do so. The easiest is to hand them out at the gate which implies the expectation that you wear them. Social morning of people wearing masks will aid compliance better than forcing everyone to do so.

Policy wise I would recommend that mask wearing be mandated for indoor locations or places that social distancing isn’t possible (e.g. in ride lines), vice everywhere. This gives people the chance to take the mask off in more open areas where social distancing is possible.

 

[GrandpaD]

Why @GrandpaD do you think they will change the self serv drink stations?

Just a quick search of "self-serve drinks Covid-19" and you'll find states that have mandated and businesses (WaWa as a local example) that have, as a result, suspended self serve food and beverages.

A 17 page draft of CDC recommendations for the gradual reopening states -
According to the document, restaurants should move toward disposable menus, plates and utensils; switch to single-use condiments; install sneeze guards at cash registers; and avoid salad bars, buffets and self-serve drink stations.

The document also calls for the use of a cloth mask or face covering by employees when near other employees and customers.

In regards to requiring wearing a mask, it is legal if a State order is issued and the business has proper signage. There's all sorts of stories about the legality of requiring it...just Google it. Here's Maryland -

Gov. Larry Hogan is requiring masks or face coverings to be worn in stores and on public transit beginning Saturday, as Maryland continues to face the coronavirus pandemic.
The order, which Hogan announced Wednesday, comes on the heels of several local governments enacting mask requirements or guidelines, including Baltimore. Cloth masks, homemade masks and bandannas meet the requirements.

 

[WDWRLD]

Just a quick search of "self-serve drinks Covid-19" and you'll find states that have mandated and businesses (WaWa as a local example) that have, as a result, suspended self serve food and beverages.

A 17 page draft of CDC recommendations for the gradual reopening states -
According to the document, restaurants should move toward disposable menus, plates and utensils; switch to single-use condiments; install sneeze guards at cash registers; and avoid salad bars, buffets and self-serve drink stations.

The document also calls for the use of a cloth mask or face covering by employees when near other employees and customers.

In regards to requiring wearing a mask, it is legal if a State order is issued and the business has proper signage. There's all sorts of stories about the legality of requiring it...just Google it. Here's Maryland -

Gov. Larry Hogan is requiring masks or face coverings to be worn in stores and on public transit beginning Saturday, as Maryland continues to face the coronavirus pandemic.
The order, which Hogan announced Wednesday, comes on the heels of several local governments enacting mask requirements or guidelines, including Baltimore. Cloth masks, homemade masks and bandannas meet the requirements.

Im just stating a example that is only minutes from BGW and a opinion that I would personally rather fill my own cup rather than others touching ti.

As far as making masks mandatoty...its perfectly in his right to mandate.

 

[warfelg]

If you want to get people to wear masks voluntarily there are plenty of ways to do so. The easiest is to hand them out at the gate which implies the expectation that you wear them.

Ophf, the cost of that would be absurdly high. Plus some park would find a way to monetize it by giving a cheap paper mask and charging $30+ for a nice branded one.

 

[warfelg]

Its the same with a "service dog"....they can not ask what your disability is that your dog does or is needed for.

Id be curious how many people actually abuse this. Especially given VA's laws on service dogs that seem really hard to get around:

Virginia law requires that service dogs be identified in particular ways:

• a guide dog must be in harness.
• a hearing dog must be on a blaze orange leash, and.
• a service dog must be in a backpack, harness, or vest that identifies it as a trained service dog.

 

[WDWRLD]

If you want to get people to wear masks voluntarily there are plenty of ways to do so. The easiest is to hand them out at the gate which implies the expectation that you wear them. Social morning of people wearing masks will aid compliance better than forcing everyone to do so.

Policy wise I would recommend that mask wearing be mandated for indoor locations or places that social distancing isn’t possible (e.g. in ride lines), vice everywhere. This gives people the chance to take the mask off in more open areas where social distancing is possible.

I agree a suggestion to wear one would go much further than a theme park employee mandating that I wear a mask. The social distancing of 6ft in lines could be easily done, also fence like walls put up between switchback railings is a physical barrier that will be used. This however presents another yet to be worked out problem of how hot it will be in July and August in those queues.

 

[WDWRLD]

Id be curious how many people actually abuse this. Especially given VA's laws on service dogs that seem really hard to get around:

Its much harder to show up at a park with a pet and call it a service animal than just not putting on a mask and saying they have a medical condition.

 

[WDWRLD]

Ophf, the cost of that would be absurdly high. Plus some park would find a way to monetize it by giving a cheap paper mask and charging $30+ for a nice branded one.

Have you checked out Shop Disney.....yet already there. A 4 pack of masks is $19.99

 

[warfelg]

Its much harder to show up at a park with a pet and call it a service animal than just not putting on a mask and saying they have a medical condition.

I feel like you're overstating how bad it would be to say they might as well not do it.

 

[Zachary]

Its much harder to show up at a park with a pet and call it a service animal than just not putting on a mask and saying they have a medical condition.

The vast majority of people are good and honest. Few will actively lie for the privilege of endangering others.

Anyway, with any luck, VA will implement an order for all public places and BGW won’t have to draw up its own policies—just enforce the state-wide order.

 

[WDWRLD]

I feel like you're overstating how bad it would be to say they might as well not do it.

Im just saying its not enforceable and I think they would be better off going with a policy like this more than a mandate.

Due to the recent pandemic Busch Gardens Willimasburg is asking all guests to wear a mask or facecovering as much as possible while in our park. We are asking this to help to continue to keep our team members as well as you, your family and friends healthy so we can see you again and again this season. We understand the wearing of masks can not be 100% of the time and that while consuming food or beverages the mask will need to be removed. Please wash your hands before removing or placing a mask on your face. We would also like to remind you that frequent hand washing is just as important and a face covering and to maintain social distancing where possible.
Again all of us here at Busch Gardens thanks you for your help and understanding.

 

[warfelg]

In my experience a request is less likely to be followed than people exploiting an out in a requirement.